Houthis threaten to target US ships in the Red Sea if they participate in any attack on Iran
"We will target US ships and battleships in the Red Sea if Washington participates in theattack on Iran," the group's military spokesperson Yahya Saree said in a statement published by the group's media outlet.
Saree emphasised that the group is closely monitoring movement in the region, including what he described as "hostile movements," and will take the necessary measures to protect itself.
The group considers any potential Israeli attack on Iran to be aimed at "removing Tehran as an obstacle to an Israeli plan to dominate the region," Saree said, adding that the group will not allow this plan to be implemented.
The remarks come a day after the US imposed new sanctions targeting key economic entities linked to the Houthi group.
It also comes amid escalating tensions between the US and Iran, where there is speculation about a possible US military strike targeting Iran's nuclear programme.
The US military website "The Aviationist" reported that two squadrons of B-2 strategic bombers, which are capable of carrying bunker-busting bombs, left Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri on Friday morning.
They are headed in the direction of the island of Guam in the Pacific Ocean, without indicating movements towards the Diego Garcia base in the Indian Ocean, which was previously used in similar operations.
US President Donald Trump announced in May that he had reached an understanding with the Houthi group through Omani mediation to stop naval operations against commercial ships in the Red Sea in exchange for an end to US airstrikes on the group's positions and areas under its control.
The Red Sea is a strategically vital area, through which roughly 10 per cent of global trade passes, escalation in the area can have wide economic and security repercussions.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
France 24
2 hours ago
- France 24
France questions online violence after streamer's live death
01:50 20/08/2025 Irish rap group Kneecap at court for waving Hezbollah flag on stage 20/08/2025 Under Geneva Convention, Russia has no automatic claim to territory simply by virtue of occupying it Europe 20/08/2025 Israel set to approve settlement project that could divide the West Bank 20/08/2025 Miss Palestine to compete in Miss Universe pageant for the first time Middle East 20/08/2025 Could keratin help heal tooth problems? 20/08/2025 Israel defence minister approves plan to conquer Gaza City Middle East 20/08/2025 Mexico uses drones to boost reforestation 20/08/2025 What's inside Israeli plan to conquer Gaza City ? 20/08/2025 Texas GOP unveils new congressional map
France 24
2 hours ago
- France 24
Irish rap group Kneecap at court for waving Hezbollah flag on stage
05:08 20/08/2025 Under Geneva Convention, Russia has no automatic claim to territory simply by virtue of occupying it Europe 20/08/2025 Israel set to approve settlement project that could divide the West Bank 20/08/2025 Miss Palestine to compete in Miss Universe pageant for the first time Middle East 20/08/2025 Could keratin help heal tooth problems? 20/08/2025 Israel defence minister approves plan to conquer Gaza City Middle East 20/08/2025 Mexico uses drones to boost reforestation 20/08/2025 What's inside Israeli plan to conquer Gaza City ? 20/08/2025 Texas GOP unveils new congressional map 20/08/2025 'In principle, there are always justifications for limiting & curtailing threats to nat'l security' UK
Euronews
5 hours ago
- Euronews
France hits back after Netanyahu accuses Macron of antisemitism
Paris has hit back after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused French President Emmanuel Macron of fuelling antisemitism with his decision to recognise a Palestinian state. Tensions between the two nations have escalated since Macron announced last month that France intends to formally recognise Palestinian statehood in September at the United Nations General Assembly. Netanyahu wrote a letter to Macron earlier this week claiming that antisemitism has "surged" in France since that announcement. "Your call for a Palestinian state pours fuel on this antisemitic fire," Netanyahu wrote. "It is not diplomacy, it is appeasement. It rewards Hamas terror, hardens Hamas's refusal to free the hostages, emboldens those who menace French Jews and encourages the Jew-hatred now stalking your streets," he added. A statement released by Macron's office on Tuesday evening said Netanyahu's accusations were "erroneous, abject, and will not go unanswered". "Violence against the Jewish community is unacceptable," the statement by Macron's office said. It noted that the French president has systematically asked all his governments since 2017, and even more so since the 7 October 2023 attacks by Hamas, to "take the strongest possible action against the perpetrators of antisemitic acts". "[France] protects and will always protect its compatriots of the Jewish faith," it added. Australia also criticised France is home to Western Europe's largest Jewish population, with an estimated 500,000 Jews — approximately 1% of the national population. In recent years, antisemitic incidents have surged in France, with a sharp increase reported in 2023 after 7 October and the ensuing war in Gaza. These include physical assaults, threats, vandalism, and harassment, prompting alarm among Jewish communities and leaders. Last week, Israeli airline El Al said its Paris office was vandalized with anti-Israel graffiti, calling the act "deeply disturbing". In a separate incident, Macron pledged that no effort will be spared to track down and prosecute unknown attackers who chopped down an olive tree planted in homage to a French Jew murdered in 2006. Netanyahu's letter to Macron cited the El Al incident and mentioned other recent examples of violence against Jews as well as vandalism of Jewish institutions in France. "These are not isolated incidents. They are a plague," Netanyahu wrote. Separately on Tuesday, France's Minister for European Affairs Benjamin Haddad criticised Netanyahu's letter and defended France's record on antisemitism. "I'm telling you that this is a matter that should not be instrumentalised. France has no lessons to learn in the fight against antisemitism," Haddad told broadcaster BFM TV. Macron's pledge to recognise Palestinian statehood last month was followed by similar promises from Britain, Canada and Australia, although their vows came with caveats. On Wednesday, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese dismissed accusations from Netanyahu claiming that he was a "weak politician who had betrayed Israel and abandoned Australia's Jews" by recognising a Palestinian state. "I treat leaders of other countries with respect. I engage with them in a diplomatic way," Albanese said in response to Netanyahu's criticism, which was also delivered in a letter.
